1 Answer from Attorneys

the designation TM (trademark) simply indicates that the user believes the mark is a trademark, which means that it designates him as the source of the goods or services. R (registered means that the mark has been applied for and approved and registered by the US Patent Trademark and Copyright Office in Washington.

the "c" in a circle (Copyright) means that the work is owned by the identified party.

The difference between trademarks and copyrights is that trademarks are designed as consumer protection laws, to designate the source of origin of the goods or services. Copyright creates an actual ownership right in the designated work